Is it bad to use more than one backhand?

[ksixone95]

Hey guys,

Don't know if any of you remember me (or care that I was out for a couple months), but I'm back here on TT! I had some tournaments, matches, etc., and got really busy. I didn't have time to post here but now I'm back, so... hi.

Anyway, I had a question. I've started using multiple kinds of backhands. I will alternate between a 2HBH, a 1HBH, and a 1H slice backhand, pretty much changing it up whenever I feel like it.

Is this bad? Is this going to make each of my backhands weaker overall? Should I just concentrate on one type of backhand?

Sid

 

[jrod]

Depends on how you are using them... What are your results with this strategy vs. sitcking with one primary style?

 

[ksixone95]

Depends on how you are using them... What are your results with this strategy vs. sitcking with one primary style?

Well, I used to do pretty well with just 2HBH...

But since I've switched to multiple backhands, my opponents have become really frustrated and they're making more unforced errors. :twisted:

I'm learning to read their movements as they anticipate one kind of backhand (e.g 2HBH) and then I'll switch mid-stroke to a slice backhand. Drives them crazy.

So does it sound okay to you?

 

[150mph_]

i am thinking about the same idea...
mainly because i think i do a better job at passing shots with 1hbh than 2hbh... its just i can really whip it through and turn the hip with the 1hander especially when its all or nothing

... but 2hbh is more consistent if i end up bashing balls on the baseline

 

[ubermeyer]

Hey guys,

Don't know if any of you remember me (or care that I was out for a couple months), but I'm back here on TT! I had some tournaments, matches, etc., and got really busy. I didn't have time to post here but now I'm back, so... hi.

Anyway, I had a question. I've started using multiple kinds of backhands. I will alternate between a 2HBH, a 1HBH, and a 1H slice backhand, pretty much changing it up whenever I feel like it.

Is this bad? Is this going to make each of my backhands weaker overall? Should I just concentrate on one type of backhand?

Sid

I think you should have either a 2HBH or 1HBH as a "regular" backhand, not both, and then have a 1HBH slice.

but whatever works for you I guess

 

[jrod]

Well, I used to do pretty well with just 2HBH...

But since I've switched to multiple backhands, my opponents have become really frustrated and they're making more unforced errors. :twisted:

I'm learning to read their movements as they anticipate one kind of backhand (e.g 2HBH) and then I'll switch mid-stroke to a slice backhand. Drives them crazy.

So does it sound okay to you?

Well, most 2HBH'ers have a 1H slice BH. I was wondering more about the use of 1HBH on drives and topspin shots vs. 2HBH? I would think that as long as you can get your feet set the 2HBH is stronger.

I agree with the use of the 1H slice BH for a 2H'er...

 

[ksixone95]

Well, most 2HBH'ers have a 1H slice BH. I was wondering more about the use of 1HBH on drives and topspin shots vs. 2HBH? I would think that as long as you can get your feet set the 2HBH is stronger.

I agree with the use of the 1H slice BH for a 2H'er...

Well, I use the 2HBH for strong topspin drive shots but I find the 1HBH is easier to control yet hit it hard and I can place the ball where I want it to go more often and easier. But both of them work pretty much equally well for me.

I suppose I'll go 2H when I can set up and 1H when I'm defending/on the run.

 

[Nonentity]

i think this could work.

Use the advantages of both backhands. 1 hander for crushing slow balls, making nice angles, passing down the line shots, etc

2 hander for defensive return of hard shots, since it takes less time to set up, general defensive shots for when you need to get your shot in, approach shots, serve return, and lobs.

And slice to change up the pace, returning high balls, serve return, and drop shots

Now the big con is that you have to put a lot of time into building these shots.

 

[Tennis Dunce]

Hey guys,

Don't know if any of you remember me (or care that I was out for a couple months), but I'm back here on TT! I had some tournaments, matches, etc., and got really busy. I didn't have time to post here but now I'm back, so... hi.

Anyway, I had a question. I've started using multiple kinds of backhands. I will alternate between a 2HBH, a 1HBH, and a 1H slice backhand, pretty much changing it up whenever I feel like it.

Is this bad? Is this going to make each of my backhands weaker overall? Should I just concentrate on one type of backhand?

Sid

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...so how was jail?

 

[ksixone95]

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...so how was jail?

:razz:

I'll never tell!

 

[wyutani]

Hey guys,

Don't know if any of you remember me (or care that I was out for a couple months), but I'm back here on TT! I had some tournaments, matches, etc., and got really busy. I didn't have time to post here but now I'm back, so... hi.

Anyway, I had a question. I've started using multiple kinds of backhands. I will alternate between a 2HBH, a 1HBH, and a 1H slice backhand, pretty much changing it up whenever I feel like it.

Is this bad? Is this going to make each of my backhands weaker overall? Should I just concentrate on one type of backhand?

Sid

of course its bad, choose one and concentrate on it. :shock:

 

[darthpwner]

if u could master both strokes than it would be an advantage not just because u can take advantage of each shots strengths but also it will confuse your opponents who will wonder what ur going to hit

 

[fuzz nation]

It's probably smart to have a dependable shot, right?

Okay, enough of the "reasonable" advice...

I use all three! My slice is ultra dependable, the two-hander is nice for a quick sort of set-and-fire drive like an aggressive return of serve, and my one-hander has the most potential for power and accuracy. The catch with my one-hander is that it takes an extra fraction of a second to set up and execute it well.

Can't say I get confused or anything with the options. The two-hander is usually for fighting a ball off in a rally and whenever I'm stretched, the slice is the only thing that I can get on the ball. As long as I'm not making a big reach or digging a screamer out of my shoes, I like the one-hander for everything else.

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

Its bad.

Because you'll always be wasting half a second deciding which backhand you're going to use.

Might as well stick with one type & vary it by deciding whether to take it on the rise, slicing it, flattening it out, or brushing it.

 

[jrod]

^^^ Thats a valid point about deciding what to do. Whenever you have options one can certainly overthink things, particularly when you have time. However, most of the time it's probably instinctive as which type of BH to hit.

My son has both a solid 2HBH (not a weapon, but reliable and accurate) and slice, and most recently has started to mix in use of a 1HBH topspin/drive (courtesy of a left hand injury that forced him to play with a 1Her for half the summer). In general, he is very decisive about which one to use. The least used is the 1HBH topspin/drive which he will pull out when late setting up for the 2Her (<5% of BH's hit). The 2Her and slice are quite native to him and he switches between them seemlessly without overthinking things.

It sounds like the OP is probably going to proceed along the same lines which is likely to work well for him.

 

[plum]

This is a great concept. I recently started re-exploring my OHBH as I have started to get used to the 12+ oz most of my choosen frames weigh at. Like another post sort-of mentioned, OHBH feels like a natural response, to a BH that is a little late or wide or low in my opinion. Especially with the proper knee-bend which seems potentially a bit more than the THBH, one can reach down, wide, and forward and really pick up those low balls nicely. It also seems, but possibly just because I am a novice, that one handers can change direction a little more naturally, and once again when pushed out of range, a OHBH produces a very nice cross court diving angle with very little effort. One question is, what are the grip changing implications. Some may keep the same right handed grip for THBH and slice, but that isn't always the case. So there is probably a slight turn to get into topspin eastern OHBH mode. I think the only reason we don't see it yet is simply the same reason we didn't see a lot of variations-- until they were taught and coached. I don't understand why we don't see the forehand slice more often-- instead of just a defensive so called "squash" shot. The announcers don't call the backhand slice a squash shot, so why the forehand slice? Maybe in the future they will teach both backhands and a THFH for those opportunities to pound the ball like a baseball, and to develop proper footwork. I have already had a couple of injuries to the lower right leg from that OHFH habit of shifting all the body weight on to the right leg as one is setting up for a OHFH and still slightly moving with momentum to the right. With a two handed forehand one is forced to do the proper stabalizing footwork to be in position.

 

[wihamilton]

Hey guys,

Don't know if any of you remember me (or care that I was out for a couple months), but I'm back here on TT! I had some tournaments, matches, etc., and got really busy. I didn't have time to post here but now I'm back, so... hi.

Anyway, I had a question. I've started using multiple kinds of backhands. I will alternate between a 2HBH, a 1HBH, and a 1H slice backhand, pretty much changing it up whenever I feel like it.

Is this bad? Is this going to make each of my backhands weaker overall? Should I just concentrate on one type of backhand?

Sid

You need to chose between a 1 hander or 2 hander (for topspin). Focusing on whichever you chose will take your backhand farther than spreading your energies over the two.

Slice backhand is separate -- you should keep working on that shot regardless of what you decide RE: the topspin backhand.

 

[jrod]

You need to chose between a 1 hander or 2 hander (for topspin). Focusing on whichever you chose will take your backhand farther than spreading your energies over the two.

Slice backhand is separate -- you should keep working on that shot regardless of what you decide RE: the topspin backhand.

Will- What do you recommend these days, 1H or 2H? Or, is it player specific?

 

[pvaudio]

As said, if you spent time to developing one outstanding backhand shot than devloping both to be decent, you'd be a far greater player. The slice is independent, however.

 

[plum]

What's this "slice is independent" stuff. You told you that? The slice is just another kind of backhand, one still has to make the decision, split second, to use it. It has a certain grip, and a certain preparation. So, what's the difference two or three or four backhands for that matter.

 

[pvaudio]

What's this "slice is independent" stuff. You told you that? The slice is just another kind of backhand, one still has to make the decision, split second, to use it. It has a certain grip, and a certain preparation. So, what's the difference two or three or four backhands for that matter.

I don't know how you possibly misunderstood my post, because it's clear as crystal. But seeing as you did, what I said is that you need to develop either a 1HBH or a 2HBH and make it as good as possible, not have two mediocre backhands. The slice backhand, however, is its own shot and both 1HBH and 2HBH hitters both hit it the same way with one hand. I don't really see how you could have been confused.

 

[revolutionary technique]

I don't know how you possibly misunderstood my post, because it's clear as crystal. But seeing as you did, what I said is that you need to develop either a 1HBH or a 2HBH and make it as good as possible, not have two mediocre backhands. The slice backhand, however, is its own shot and both 1HBH and 2HBH hitters both hit it the same way with one hand. I don't really see how you could have been confused.

I agree you have to develop one. Because it will take twice the time to develop both of them to a level of lets say 5.0 backhand and when you add the slice to the equation now thats 3 bachands you have to develop which takes alot of time. You could spend that time to work on only one topspin backhand and slice rather than 3 back hands. I was once in the same boat and a very good player (5.0) on the next court told me to stick with only one backhand from that day I only play one handed backhand because he was a one hander :twisted:

 

[halalula1234]

well i have 2 forehands and they work pretty well. I use 2 handed when the ball is coming fast,low and straight me cus it doesnt need a big backswign and preparation for power. as well as the lob. other than that i use 1 hand.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I hit a 2HBH, but lately I have been going to one hand for some shots. I'm starting to develop a case of BH confusion where one hand flies off the racket when I had intended to use two hands.

I'm going to put the 1HBH back on the shelf for now, as it is messing up my timing or my spacing from the ball or something. I missed so many BH service returns last night. It was embarrassing.